…constructs 5,238 public sanitation facilities nationwide

…Dams contribute 110 megawatts renewable energy

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal Government, Wednesday, disclosed 32 million Nigerians now access safe drinking water.

This was made known by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev at the Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Achievements of the Ministry’s Projects and Programmes held in Abuja.

Utsev said the Tinubu-led administration is bent on making water resources a catalyst to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development while he explained that food production had significantly increased due to the activities by the River Basin Development Authorities, RBDAs, domiciled in the states.

He also said the State and local governments are carried along in all the projects and that had led to the achievements of the Federal Government as well.

He said: “Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly to transform Nigeria’s water and sanitation landscape, expand irrigation and food production, and harness water resources for clean energy generation.

“In the water-supply and sanitation subsector, we have constructed and rehabilitated more than 6,700 water schemes nationwide, delivering safe drinking water to over 32 million Nigerians.

“Projects such as Ugbema, Boko/Buruku, and Wannune in Benue; Greater Dutse in Jigawa; Gombe Regional Water Project; Farin Ruwa in Nasarawa; ATBU in Bauchi; Biu in Borno; Gashua and Damaturu in Yobe; Ota in Ogun; and Zungeru–Wushishi in Niger State stand as proof of our dedication to service delivery.

“In rural communities, we successfully implemented numerous rural water supply projects, enhancing access to clean water for over 2,000,000 beneficiaries across various states.

“For the period under review, we have constructed about 500 new water supply projects consisting the provision of Solar Powered Boreholes, Storage Water Facilities, Reticulations and Fetching points nationwide.”

The Minister also said 5,238 public sanitation facilities were constructed in a bid to reduce sanitation challenges across the country.

“On sanitation, our Clean Nigeria Campaign continues to make history — 5,238 public sanitation facilities were constructed nationwide so far, and 162 Local Government Areas have now been certified Open Defecation Free.

“In addition to ensuring water bodies are protected from contamination, two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia were recently completed to enhance water-quality monitoring”, he said.

Meanwhile, he said to boost power supply to the national grid, the Kashimbilla, Gurara and Dadin Kowa dams contribute 110 megawatts renewable energy to boost power supply.

“The Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam—one of our nation’s flagship projects—is now fully completed, with its 40 megawatt hydropower facilities supplying power to the national grid and airstrip already commissioned.

“Work is currently advancing on the water supply and treatment components that will soon provide clean and reliable water to millions of Nigerians across Taraba State and neighbouring communities.

“Together with the Gurara and Dadin Kowa Dams, these projects now generate a combined 110 megawatts of renewable energy, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s power mix and our commitment to clean energy transition.”

According to the Minister, apart from Kashimbilla, several other projects are advancing strongly including the Mangu Dam in Plateau State, which has reached 90 per cent completion; Adada Dam in Enugu State stands at 78 per cent; Ogbesse Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti State has achieved 65 per cent; and the Farin Ruwa Dam in Nasarawa State continues to record steady progress.

He also made it known that Alau Dam in Borno State, is currently giving serious attention as work has progressed rapidly, now it is enhancing flood control and securing potable water for the people of Maiduguri.

Several smaller dams including Irawo Earth Dam in Oyo, Otukpo Multipurpose Dam in Benue, Amla Otukpo Dam, Alajue Dam, and rehabilitation works on Tiga, Challawa Gorge, and Ruwan Kanya Reservoirs are at advanced stages of completion.

According to him, through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, the Ministry has successfully concessioned two major brownfield assets: the 40-megawatt Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport. Both were concluded in full compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act of 2005, generating over ₦7 billion in commencement fees for the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, he (Utsev) said as part of the Ministry’s achievements, the Ministry has continued to translate potential irrigable lands into productive farmlands through modernisation, efficient water management and sustainability.

He said, “At the Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme in Gombe State, we completed and handed over 2,000 hectares of irrigable land directly to farmers—boosting crop yield and improving livelihoods in the North-East.

“In Sokoto State, the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project has seen key components completed, including the gate-control structure and access roads, while large sections are now operational.

“The Middle Ogun Irrigation Project has reached 90 per cent completion on its power line and 80 per cent on the solarisation of sprinkler systems, significantly reducing farmers’ operating cost.”

He also promised that in 2026 Adada, Mangu, and Ogbesse Dams will be completed and commissioned.